Shovels are designed for digging, raking, pushing and throwing, although not all shovels are suitable for each of these jobs. For example, a snow shovel is not the best choice for digging flower beds, and a garden shovel is a poor choice for digging deep snow. There are many types of palettes to choose from, and the best one depends on the project or task.
The most common type of shovel is the pointed shovel, although the round shovel and snow shovel are also very popular. Homeowners typically purchase snow shovels for winter maintenance and have one or more shovels for spring, summer, and fall gardening. Use this guide to learn more about the following 12 types of blades and the reasons behind the different designs so you can choose the best blade for your project.
1. Peak line
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The handle of a side shovel is usually longer than that of a conventional digging shovel, so the user does not have to bend down to pick up dirt or other materials. The outer blade has a small semi-circular blade designed for cutting tough grass and weeds. Users simply place the blade of the shovel where they want to cut, then apply foot pressure to push the blade through the material.
The metal blade cleanly cuts through leaves and dirt with minimal effort. By repeating this process along driveways, garden edges or curbs, users can clear grass, weeds and other excessive growth.
PERFECT FOR: Small hard edged rake for edging gardens, paths and driveways.
Our recommendation: Fiskars Steel Edger for $32.99 on Amazon .
The durable steel cutting disc perfectly cuts thick grass on paths and in the garden.
2. Flat head shovel
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When choosing a shovel, it is important to consider how it will be used in order to select the right shovel for the task. Flathead shovels are used in landscaping to collect and move a variety of loose yard materials, including grass, dirt, mulch, and gravel.
The wide, slightly concave blade with raised edges allows the user to carry large amounts of material without worrying about dirt or gravel spilling over the edges. However, a flat shovel is not the best choice for digging or cutting, so users will want to dig, cut, and keep landscape material moving when using this type of shovel.
SUITABLE FOR: The flat head of this shovel is excellent for picking up and moving garden materials such as dirt, mulch or gravel.
Our recommendation: Bond Manufacturing square head shovel for $28.69 at Amazon .
The wide, square blade of a flat shovel is ideal for clearing soil, spreading fertilizer, or loading gravel into a wheelbarrow.
3. Digging with a shovel
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The terms "shovel" and "shovel" are often used interchangeably because the shovel is of the same type, but there is a slight difference between the two terms. Shovels have wider blades and are better for moving material, while shovels have narrower blades and are better for cutting and digging. Trench shovels are generally considered a type of shovel because they have a long, narrow blade that is ideal for digging narrow trenches.
This shovel can also be used to remove dirt or gravel from deep holes that are too small in diameter for the shovel to reach. However, it should be noted that the user must rely on upper body and arm strength when digging with a trenching shovel, as the blade is too narrow to properly move the shovel with the foot.
SUITABLE FOR: The trenching shovel is ideal for digging shallow trenches and cleaning deep narrow trenches.
Our recommendation: Ace Hardware's Razor Back Digger for $41.99 .
A strong wooden handle and narrow hardened steel blade help this shovel cut through hard floors with ease.
4. Install the blade
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If you need to build an entire fence in a weekend, it's best to rent a mechanical post-drilling machine, but if you're only replacing or installing one post, you can save money by investing in a post hole. This type of bucket is made with two handles and two blades. The user lowers the blade to the ground and then uses both handles to close the blade, allowing the ball to pick up any loose material between the attached blades.
This mechanism helps dig and remove soil from narrow post holes, creating flat cylindrical holes in the ground for subsequent fence installation. Like a trenching shovel, a post shovel can be used to clear shallow trenches or deep narrow holes and may perform better than a wide digging shovel.
MORE FOR: This shovel uses a pair of blades to dig and remove debris from holes in your new post.
Our recommendation: Buy a Razor-Back Post Drill from Tractor Supply Co. for $64.99 .
Use a fiberglass shaft and high carbon steel double blade to dig deep stakes into compacted soil.
5. Shovel to plant trees
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A tree planting shovel or drainage shovel is specially designed for digging deep holes of various sizes for planting trees and other large plants. The shovel has a long blade similar to a trench shovel, although a tree planting shovel has a wider blade, allowing it to pick up and remove more material than a trench shovel.
Tree planting shovels can be curved or pointed, and the length of the shovel handle can vary. Longer holes are generally better for digging on flat, level ground, while shorter holes are better for digging on hills or slopes. If you don't have a trencher, you can use a planter's spade to make a shallow trench for your flower beds.
Best For: As the name suggests, the tree planting shovel is designed for digging holes of various sizes for planting trees.
Our recommendation: Ames D-Handle Drain Spade for $42.27 at Walmart .
This forestry fork features a wide baseplate for comfort and better digging control, as well as increased downforce.
6. Snow shovel
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Many shovels are used in hot weather to dig up dirt, remove mud, or cut existing grass, but the most common shovel during the winter months is the snow shovel. These blades have a forward-facing metal or plastic blade that looks like a vertically curved rectangle. Wide Blades are designed for clearing driveways, driveways, decks, balconies, and snowmobile driveways.
Snow shovels are available in various handle lengths and blade sizes. Some models may have curved blades to help relieve pressure on the user's back when pushing, lifting, or throwing snow. Keep in mind that while plastic is fine for snow shovels, steel or stainless steel is the best choice for most landscaping shovels.
Suitable for: Use the snow shovel to push, shovel and throw snow to clear driveways and driveways.
Our recommendation: Earthwise Snow Shovel for $38.20 at Amazon .
The mild steel shaft reduces user fatigue and makes snow removal easier without sacrificing durability.
7. Pointy blades
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There are two main types of digging trowels that are commonly used in landscaping and DIY garden work, including pointed trowels and round trowels. This cone dozer has a sharp blade, making it suitable for digging in hard, compacted ground. This shovel can also be used to excavate rocky areas by using the tip of the shovel to cut through compacted material.
The bucket has a wide blade that can pick up, move and remove dirt, so you can dig up loose soil and remove material in one go. For harder or denser ground, the user can press the knife into the ground with their feet thanks to the wide base plate and a long wooden or metal pole. It should also be noted that a pointed blade is sometimes referred to as a round blade.
Suitable for: This type of backhoe is ideal for hard, compacted or even rocky terrain.
Our recommendation: Ames Drill Press at The Home Depot for $23.74 .
Use a heavy-duty steel blade and round head to cut through compacted soil and remove loose material.
8. Round spatula
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Another type of digging shovel is the round shovel or hooded shovel. These shovels have a longer handle than the pointed ones, and their blade ends in a smooth, rounded curve instead of a sharp edge. This means that the round bucket is not suitable for digging in hard, compact or rocky soils. However, the rounded blade is ideal for uprooting plants without damaging the roots, allowing the user to replant healthy plants in other parts of the garden.
The round shovel blade can also be used to break clay, thin stone, and other dense materials, using the user's weight to break through hard materials. Alternatively, you can use a round shovel to dig a hole in the loose soil to prepare a new plant or sapling.
Suitable for: Its curved shape is ideal for planting and digging holes in loose soil for new plants or trees.
Our recommendation: Bully Tools Caprock Shovel at Northern Tool + Hardware for $57.74 .
The long handle increases leverage, helping to reduce user fatigue when digging or breaking clay.
9. Folding shovel
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The main goal of a folding excavator is portability. By folding the backpack in half or sometimes even three, the user can pack the tool in a vehicle or place it in a backpack for easy transport. A folding shovel is a great tool to have on hand when hiking or camping because it can quickly dig fire pits and break up the ground to put out coals.
Add a shovel to your car or truck to help with a roadside emergency. The shovel can be used to dig small holes where road signs can be safely placed to make your vehicle stand out even in poor visibility conditions. Please note that the portable design reduces the life of the bucket, so these mini buckets may wear out faster than standard buckets.
SUITABLE FOR: This compact backpack is designed to be easy to carry, making it a great choice for hiking or in the car in an emergency.
Our recommendation: Ultimate Folding Camping Shovel for $15.89 at Amazon .
Fold the pack in half for safe storage in your pack while camping, or toss it in your car for emergency use.
10. Back of hand
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A portable shovel may also be referred to as a garden shovel, yard spade, hand shovel, yard spade, or hand shovel. This type of shovel has a small blade and a very short shaft designed to be held in one hand. Use hand hoes to dig up weeds, replant seedlings, or dig holes for new plants. Hand shovels typically have relatively narrow blades about 6 inches long. Depending on the purpose of the knife, it can have a round or pointed tip. Choose a thin blade if you're digging in hard ground, or use a round blade for soft garden soil.
FOR WEEDS: A hand shovel has a small blade and short handle designed for digging up weeds, removing plants, and digging shallow holes for new plants.
Our recommendation: Sinoer Shovel for $10.99 on Amazon .
Soft, non-slip rubber grips enhance user comfort and control when moving, weeding, or digging.
11. shovel root
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The root hoe is generally considered one of the sharpest shovels because it is designed to cut and grind the tough roots of plants and trees. This type of spade has a triangular, rectangular, pointed tip, narrow flat tip, or inverted V-shaped cutting edge. Spade shafts come in a variety of sizes, and the edges of the blades are usually serrated, allowing the user to cut through hardwood roots.
Use a cultivator to remove unwanted plants and small trees from your lawn or garden. It can also be used to cut buried tree roots that could interfere with yard work or prevent you from planting a new shrub or tree in your yard.
SUITABLE FOR: The hoe's triangular blade and often serrated edge are designed for pruning the tough roots of plants and trees.
Our recommendation: Radius Garden Root Slayer Shovel for $49.99 at Amazon .
Root plants and trees quickly with the Radius Garden Trowel's serrated tip and carbon steel V-edge.
12. The power of a snow shovel
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Most bulldozers are hand tools that rely on the user's physical strength to push the bulldozer blade into the ground or snow. However, bulldozers use an internal motor to spin their blades, allowing them to quickly rake and clear snow. Electric snow shovels fall between a standard manual snow shovel and a full-size snow shovel in terms of power and versatility.
Depending on the model, some power shovels can also be used to move loose dirt, although it's important to make sure that's the intended use before attempting to dig a mound of dirt with a snow shovel. Use an electric snow shovel in tight spaces where a full-size snow blower won't fit so you don't have to manually shovel snow and ice.
Best for: Powerful snow throwers quickly pick up and clear snow to quickly clear driveways and driveways.
Our recommendation: $93.20 Greenworks Electric Snow Shovel at Amazon .
Remove up to 300 pounds of snow per minute with this 8-amp electric snow shovel that blows snow up to 20 feet away.
The prices shown here were accurate at the time of publication on 07/23/20.
